Kathmandu — Shopping activity has increased across major markets in the Kathmandu Valley as families prepare for Dashain, with shoppers visiting stores and marketplaces to complete their festival preparations.
Busy commercial areas including Ason, Indra Chowk, New Road, Mangal Bazar and Lagankhel are seeing a steady flow of customers. The streets and shopping areas have become noticeably busier as the festival approaches.
Ason and Indra Chowk remain popular destinations for traditional Dashain shopping, offering a wide range of products including clothes, footwear, groceries, spices, household goods and other daily necessities.
In New Road, one of Kathmandu’s major commercial centres, shoppers are visiting clothing stores, footwear outlets, electronics shops and other businesses. The increase in pedestrians has also added pressure to movement and traffic around the busy market area.
Across Mangal Bazar and Lagankhel, shoppers are similarly making purchases for themselves and their families. The areas have seen increased activity as residents of Lalitpur and surrounding neighbourhoods prepare for the festival.
Dashain is traditionally one of the busiest shopping periods in Nepal. Many families purchase new clothes and footwear as part of the festival tradition, while food, gifts and household items also form an important part of pre-Dashain shopping.
Retailers have been preparing for the seasonal demand by increasing stocks of commonly purchased goods. Many shops have also introduced Dashain discounts, promotional offers and special sales to attract customers during the festive period.
The growth in shopping activity is also contributing to heavier pedestrian and vehicle movement in several commercial areas. Crowded streets, busy footpaths and limited parking space can make movement more difficult, particularly during peak shopping hours.
Traders are expecting customer activity to remain strong as the main days of Dashain draw closer. The final days before the festival traditionally see a further increase in shopping as families complete their remaining purchases.
At the same time, consumers are paying attention to prices and product choices as they manage their festive budgets. Shoppers are visiting different stores and markets to compare prices and find suitable products before making their purchases.
The busy scenes in Ason, Indra Chowk, New Road, Mangal Bazar and Lagankhel reflect the growing festive atmosphere across the Valley. As families complete their preparations, Kathmandu and Lalitpur’s traditional markets are once again becoming important centres of Dashain activity.
